FULTON COUNTY, NY (NEWS10) — The Great Sacandaga Lake. It may look picturesque and tranquil covered in snow but it can also be dangerous. On Friday, officials warned the public about how to stay safe while engaging in winter fun.
The Fulton County Sheriff's office says last season the state had eight deaths and over 400 injuries from snowmobiling on the ice. What causes these accidents? Sheriff Richard Giardino says drunk driving and people thinking that snowmobiles are safer than cars for the ice leads to several accidents.
How can you stay safe? NEWS10 also spoke with ohn Callaghan the Executive Director of the Hudson River Black River Regulating District which helps monitor issues like flow and flooding from the lake.
Both men advise using a "buddy system" so a second party can notify first responders in case of an incident. They also recommend knowing the thickness of the ice. According to Callaghan, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommends a minimum thickness of four inches of solid ice just for pedestrian base activities and five inches of ice before you use an ATV or snowmobile
The sheriff also recommends purchasing specialized jackets and pants which contain floating devices to buy yourself more time before authorities can reach you. The articles of clothing can float for up to two hours according to the sheriff.
